September job numbers slightly better than a year ago

Thursday

Oct 18, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By John Nolanjnolan@fosters.com

CONCORD — The unadjusted unemployment rate for New Hampshire for September was 5.1 percent, according to figures newly released by NH Employment Security. This compares to an unadjusted jobless rate of 5.7 percent in August and the 5.2 percent rate of September 2011.The over-the-month improvement is reflected in the national unadjusted unemployment rate, which was 7.6 percent in September, compared to 8.2 percent in August and 8.8 percent last September.The New Hampshire numbers, which are based on an estimated labor force of 738,780, reflect the number of state residents holding jobs, albeit that over 60,000 of these jobs are out of state.NHES, this week, also released the Current Employment Statistics (CES) for September, which are based on surveys of employers across the Granite State. These numbers also reflected good news, but only marginally so.In September there were 631,600 jobs in New Hampshire, up 800 from a month ago and up 2,600 over the year.First glance shows the private sector lost 11,700 jobs over the month, while the government sector added 12,500 jobs, but this is an annual phenomenon, as schools and colleges reopen, and the retail and hospitality sectors of the economy contract — a reflection of the end of the summer tourist season.The Construction sector now employs 23,300 people in the state, which is up 300 jobs over the month and up 800 over the year.Manufacturing went in the other direction, with 65,900 jobs in September — down 300 over the month and down 800 over the year.Wholesale Trade now employs 27,700 workers which is down 600 jobs over the month but up 1,300 over the year.The Retail sector has 91,700 employees, which is down 3,000 people over the month but up 1,600 over the year.Real Estate, Rentals and Leasing, which had been strengthening in recent months, lost 300 jobs from August to September. It now employs 6,700, which is also 300 fewer that a year ago.Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools (in the private sector) now have a combined staff of 18,700 people — up 1,900 over the month and up 500 over the year.Leisure and Hospitality, which includes arts and entertainment, recreation, accommodation and eating and drinking places of every kind, lost 8,100 jobs over the month as tourists headed for home. There are now 67,400 workers in this sector, which is still 700 more than this time, last year.Government employment at state and local level rose over the month as teachers, bus drivers and school support staff went back to their jobs.Federal government now has 7,100 people, which is down 200 over the month and the year.State government has 25,600 employees. That is up 3,200 over the month and up 800 over the year.Local government, in September, had 61,000 employees, which is up 9,500 over the month and up 300 over the year.